23-05-2025
Max Johnston insists he's Sturm Graz lucky charm ahead of Austrian title shoot out for 2-In-A-Row
The former Motherwell kid knows avoiding defeat at home to rivals Wolfsberger will see them crowned champions again
Max Johnston is looking to make it back-to-back titles with Sturm Graz in Austria's final day shootout.
The Scotland international knows if his team can avoid defeat at home to fellow chasers Wolfsberger then they will retain their Bundesliga crown.
The league could go to Wolfsberger if they were to win and Austria Vienna failed to get three points, while the capital team can also claim it if Graz lose and they beat Blau Weiss Linz.
'It is exciting and hopefully it will go in our favour,' Johnston told Record Sport It is tight at the top and a three way-fight with Wolfsberg and Austria Vienna.
'We are playing Wolfsberger and so that is a massive one. The good thing is that we are three points ahead and we know if we can get a win or draw then we would win the league.'
Sturm were surprisingly beaten by Rapid Vienna last week. Johnston knows that jolt will push them to get the job finished this time.
Johnston has a decent record against Wolfsberger and is keeping his fingers crossed that remains the case.
'Wolfsberger have had a good season to be fair,' the right-back acknowledged. 'They won the cup and have done brilliantly so far.
'It is going to be some atmosphere. It always is to be fair but this game is even bigger.
'We lost 3-0 away in the first game in February when I was injured but the last game was 1-1 away. I was involved in the last one and I got an assist for the goal.
'I don't think I have actually lost against them so I'm happy I can keep that record going this weekend.
'They have always had good players but this season they have stepped up and their success in the cup has seen them step up again.
'They are quite physical and are quite direct and get the ball forward. 'They are also very dangerous on the counter-attack and that is something we will need to counter.'
The Johnston family and friends will all be amongst the sold-out Merkur Arena crowd. Johnston has been a key figure in this campaign and has made a top team spot his own. He has had Champions League experience and another Bundesliga medal would top things off nicely.
He admitted: 'I have played the majority of the games. I had to be patient last season but I have got that opportunity now. It would cap things off perfectly if we could win the league.
'It was amazing to be involved in it last year. I started on the bench but I came on and I remember thinking these are the games you want to play in.
'Hopefully, I can do that this week and I can be involved in it. As soon as we won it, one of the first things the boys said was look how much it means to the fans, the families and staff.
'That is what we want to do and this is the best way to repay all the people who have helped us along the way.'
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